Kenya declares three days of mourning for Mugabe

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta declared three days of mourning for the former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Friday, describing him as a "shining beacon of Africa's liberation struggle."

In a presidential proclamation which came just hours after Mugabe's death in a Singapore hospital at the age of 95, Kenyatta directed flags to fly at half mast starting on Saturday until Monday.

"He spent a lifetime challenging Africa to find its place and voice among the community of nations, and stand tall. For all these and many other achievements, he will be fondly missed and remembered," Kenyatta said.

Here is Kenyatta's proclamation in full:

♦ Today the 6th September, 2019, Kenya has lost a close friend, following the passing of H.E. Comrade Robert Gabriel Mugabe. I take this opportunity on my own behalf, that of my family and the people of the Republic of Kenya to offer my deepest heartfelt condolences to Mrs Grace Mugabe, the entire family and the people of the great Republic of Zimbabwe.

♦ Comrade Mugabe was a shining beacon of Africa's liberation struggle, an icon that led Zimbabwe in its liberation struggle from Colonialism to independence. He was also an embodiment of the Pan African spirit, offering immeasurable assistance to his neighbour South Africa, in their struggle to end apartheid, and in his steady insistence that Africa's problems required African solutions. He spent a lifetime challenging Africa to find its place and voice among the Community of Nations, and stand tall. For all these and many other achievements, he will be fondly missed and remembered.

♦ Kenya and Zimbabwe enjoy strong cordial relations founded on our shared struggle against colonialism and for self-determination. Throughout his tenure as President, H. E. Mugabe maintained close relationships with Kenya, visiting Kenya on several occasions, the last such occasion was during TICAD VI in 2016.

It is this close relationship that has seen Kenya and Zimbabwe assist each other to build capacities in various fields and confer each other at different multilateral fora. We will remember him for nurturing a strong and growing the relationship between Kenya and Zimbabwe.

♦ As a mark of respect for the memory of this African hero and friend of our country, by the authority vested in me as President of the Republic of Kenya, I hereby ORDER and DIRECT;- THAT the flag of the Republic of Kenya shall be flown at half-mast at the State House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Republic of Kenya and throughout the Republic of Kenya from dawn on Saturday the 7th September, 2019, until sunset, on Monday the 9th September, 2019.

ISSUED under the HAND AND SEAL of the President, at State House, Mombasa, on this 6th day of September, 2019.